A student from Vanderbilt Charter Academy works on a whispering poetry tube during ArtPrize Education Days 2013.

Posted on September 27, 2013

Hundreds of students from several Grand Valley State University-authorized charter schools got to have a hands-on experience making whispering poetry tubes at ArtPrize education days, hosted by the Grand Valley Charter Schools Office.

Two groups of third-graders, from Vanderbilt Charter Academy in Holland and William C. Abney Academy in Grand Rapids, spent the morning of September 26 making their own art projects before touring portions of downtown Grand Rapids looking at entries in ArtPrize.

The students made whispering poetry tubes, intended to allow someone to listen to a piece of poetry even in a crowded or noisy environment.

“I think it went really, really well. They’re learning a lot about art, in more non-traditional ways and how to express themselves through art,” said Aliscia Washington, a third-grade teacher at William C. Abney.

Vanderbilt third-grade teacher Emily Neher also said she thinks the hands-on approach is a great way to expose students to art.

“I think that this is an experience that they are going to remember,” Neher said. “It’s a great way to get them to see a college, and I think that’s an awesome experience for them, showing them what they can do in the future.”